Switzerland's Lunatica have once again crafted an album of technical beauty and soaring, ethereal soundscapes. "New Shores", Lunatica's fourth release, brings all the elements of symphonic metal that we've come to expect from Lunatica. The concise composition. The finely honed vocal melodies. Andrea Datwyler's voice shines as D'Incau, Seibert, and the boys create an aggressively tight sound.

"New Shores" opens up with a big-room drum sound, and suddenly attacks with huge, crunchy guitars. The effect, at top volume, establishes a sense of vastness and bring forward feelings of panoramic depth. Then Datwyler invites us to "Take a step into a world of melodies", assuring us that "Music can open up a door..up to new shores". John Payne (former Asia) provides guest vocals on tracks like "The Incredibles" and "Into the Dissonance". The string quartet samples laid down by Seibert create an eerie counter to Payne and Datwyler's vocal harmonies on "Into the Dissonance".

On "Two Dreamers", Datwyler takes a reflective posture with lyrics like, "You help me to believe that there's nothing that's impossible. You always knew that dreams are made for living them each day". An honest, heartfelt, display of emotion. Sonically interesting was "The Chosen Ones", which begins with a guitar riff reminiscent of Mustaine or Jourgensen.

"New Shores"creates a uniquely defined sound from other symphonic metal. Romantic and rooted in the fantastic, Lunatica has come into their own. It's the small things in "New Shores that set it apart. On the title track we hear a keyboard voice that sounds more at home in glitch techno than symphonic metal.

The overall guitar production is a more present and driving force than most other symphonic metal albums. Perhaps the opportunity to work with Micheal Levine inspired Lunatica to branch out. Whatever the reason, "New Shores" is sure to be a top seller for the Napalm Records catalog.